Thursday, March 12, 2009

CBS News reports that 60 Minutes will air an extended interview with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, the first time that a sitting Fed chief has been interviewed in 20 years. The discussion will cover the recent financial market meltdown and ongoing economic crisis along with steps that the central bank is taking to restore order and bolster confidence.

The interview, Bernanke's first on the record since he became Federal Reserve chair, will be broadcast this Sunday, March 15, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

In the interview, Bernanke also talks about the failure of Lehman Brothers, the rescue plan for AIG and the Fed’s extraordinary actions taken since the beginning of the economic crisis. The Fed Chairman also discusses how regulations might change in the future.

The double-length segment also includes an interview in Dillon, S.C., where Bernanke grew up. 60 Minutes accompanied the Fed chairman to his home town, where he visited his old high school and talked to Pelley about how the current financial crisis is taking its toll on Main Street America.

There was no word on whether they would visit Bernanke's childhood home, a property that was recently sold at a foreclosure auction as noted here about a month ago.